If you have a battery-powered device that uses CR2032 batteries, you may be wondering if it is possible to recharge them.
The CR2032 is a tiny battery used in a variety of devices, such as car key fobs, calculators, small flashlights, and so forth [1].
The short answer is yes, you can recharge CR2032 batteries. However, there are a few things to keep in mind before you do so.
For one, not all CR2032 batteries are rechargeable. If your device came with non-rechargeable batteries, it is best to stick with those. Rechargeable batteries may not last as long as non-rechargeable ones and they may also require special care when charging.
Secondly, even if your CR2032 batteries are rechargeable, it is important to consult your device’s manual before attempting to recharge them. This is because some devices are not designed to work with rechargeable batteries and could be damaged by attempts to do so.
In the following blog post, our tech-savvy experts will explore the answer to that question and provide some tips on how to recharge CR2032 batteries.
A Deeper Look At CR2032 Batteries
A CR2032 battery is a type of lithium-ion cell battery utilized inside electronic devices. These batteries are frequently found in tiny electronics, such as calculators, watches, cameras, camcorders, electronic games, and personal digital assistants. Even some hearing aids and keyless entry systems for automobiles use CR2032 batteries.
Lithium-ion batteries like the CR2032 are different from older types of batteries in that they can be recharged. In fact, you can recharge a CR2032 battery up to 500 times before it needs to be replaced.
However, a few things you need to keep in mind when recharging this type of battery:
- First, you need to use a CR2032 battery charger specifically designed for lithium-ion batteries. You can’t use a standard NiCd or NiMH battery charger, as this could damage the battery;
- Second, you should only recharge the battery when it is completely discharged. Recharging a partially discharged CR2032 battery can shorten its lifespan;
CR2032 Battery Specifications
The chemical composition of the battery is represented by the first letter, “C”, which stands for Chromium (however, while that was the initial make-up, CR batteries may now be manufactured from a variety of different elements, with Lithium being the most prevalent).
The next two digits in the sequence (in this case, “2” and “0”), tell us the coin’s diameter in millimeters. This particular battery has a diameter of 20mm.
The last two digits, “3” and “2”, represent the batter’s height in millimeters. But to get the height, divide the number by 10 first.
This means that the height of 3.2 millimeters is 32 divided by 10.
So, the “CR” in the name designates the battery’s chemistry, while the “2032” refers to its diameter and height (in millimeters). While CR2032 batteries are not rechargeable, there are some alternative battery types that can be recharged.
For example, 18650 lithium-ion batteries are larger than CR2032s but can be recharged up to 700 times. If you need a rechargeable option for your device, consider switching to a different type of battery altogether [2].
CR2032 Battery Voltage And Current Capacity Ratings
A voltage is required for all electrical and electronic devices to function. The device may as well be a paperweight if no electricity is supplied. The CR2032 has a voltage range of 3 to 3.7 volts.
The second feature is current capacity, which is measured in watts and indicates the battery’s total storage capacity (much like how much water a bottle can hold if water is the current).
Larger batteries are often labeled in Amp-Hours (Ah), while smaller batteries (such as CR2032 coin cell batteries) have their capacities listed in Milliampere-Hours (mAh). The CR2032 has a current capacity of between 230 and 1400 milliamperes [3].
To put that into perspective, a CR2032 battery can hold enough current to power a small electronic device for about an hour or two.
If you need a long-lasting battery for your device, consider opting for a higher voltage and capacity model. Otherwise, a CR2032 should suffice.
Are CR2032 Primary Or Secondary Batteries?
There’s some confusion about whether CR2032 batteries are primary or secondary cells.
Primary batteries can’t be recharged and must be thrown away after use. Secondary batteries can be recharged over and over again.
So, which category do CR2032 batteries fall into? The answer is that it depends on the specific battery in question.
Some CR2032 batteries are designed to be used once and then thrown away. These are primary cells and cannot be recharged.
Other CR2032 batteries are designed to be rechargeable. These secondary cells can be charged using a special charger (you can’t just use a regular AA battery charger).
Can You Recharge CR2032 Batteries?
When recharging a CR2032 battery, you can only recharge the rechargeable type because they are designed to be charged and utilized multiple times. LIR2032 is the name of the rechargeable version of the CR2032.
The letter “LI” is a chemical sign for Lithium-Ion, which is the most frequent chemical in rechargeable batteries.
You may not attempt to charge a non-rechargeable battery as doing so is dangerous and might result in an explosion.
How To Check If A CR2032 Can Be Charged Or Not?
If you have a CR2032 battery, the best way to check if it can be charged or not is to look for a label on the battery.
The label should say “Do Not Charge” or something similar. If the label does not say anything about charging, then the battery is probably not rechargeable.
Another way to tell if a CR2032 battery is rechargeable is by looking at the color of the positive and negative terminals.
If the positive and negative terminals are different colors, then the battery is probably not rechargeable.
Do Rechargeable CR2032 Batteries Require Special Chargers?
Yes, you’ll need special coin battery charging gear that can handle CR2032 batteries, particularly the CR2032 battery size. Because rechargeable CR2032 batteries are built of Lithium-Ion, they require even greater attention when it comes to charging.
When a battery has reached full charge, most battery chargers provide trickle charging. When a Lithium-Ion battery has fully charged, though, it is unable to accept any more charge.
As a result, when the battery has arrived at full capacity, the charger immediately cuts off the charging process.
This is why you’ll need a CR2032 coin cell battery charger that has an automatic shut-off function to prevent overcharging.
These types of chargers are readily available online and in many stores.
When shopping for a CR2032 coin cell battery charger, make sure to find one that is compatible with your country’s voltage (220V for Europe, 110V for North America, etc.).
How To Recharge CR2032 Batteries:
1) Using A Battery Charger
You will need to purchase a battery charger that is specifically designed to recharge CR2032 batteries. Make sure to follow the instructions that come with the charger.
If you do not have a CR2032-specific charger, you can use a generic AA/AAA battery charger. However, you will need to be careful not to overcharge the battery as this could damage it.
To charge the battery using this method, connect the positive end of the AAA/AA charger to the positive end of the CR2032 battery and likewise for the negative ends.
Typically you need to charge in such an order:
- To turn off the item, press and hold the “Power” button;
- When the battery in your electronic device is no longer functioning, replace it with a new CR2032 battery. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for replacing the battery from your specific product;
- To charge a coin cell battery, insert it into a battery charger. If the instructions for the battery housing unit say to place the negative or positive terminal of the battery up, do so. To assure equal and proper charging, some multiple battery chargers require all slots to be filled;
- Connect the charger. The batteries will immediately begin to charge once connected. Charge the battery until it is completely charged, as instructed by the manufacturer. Most battery chargers have a red and green light that tells you when your batteries are charging or are fully charged. When a battery charger has a red light, that means the batteries are still being charged; when there is no longer any green light on, it indicates that the batteries are fully charged;
2) Using A Power Adapter
This is a slower method to recharge your CR2032 batteries, but it will work in a pinch.
You will need:
- A power adapter that outputs DC voltage of between 200mA to 500mA and has a male USB Type-A connector;
- An alligator clip test lead or some other way to connect the power adapter to the battery;
To recharge the CR2032 battery using this method:
- Connect the positive (red) lead of the alligator clip test lead to the positive end of the CR2032 battery;
- Connect the negative (black) lead of the alligator clip test lead to the negative end of the USB cable;
- Plug the USB cable into the power adapter;
- Turn on the power adapter (if it has an ON/OFF switch);
- Wait for the CR2032 battery to recharge (this could take a few hours);
- Once the CR2032 battery is fully charged, disconnect the alligator clip test lead from the battery and then unplug the USB cable from the power adapter;
FAQ:
Are 2032 lithium batteries rechargeable?
The LiR2032 is a rechargeable lithium battery with a critical influence on the quality of life of the device. They also have a higher charging voltage, ranging from 3.2 to 3.9V [4].
Can button cell batteries be recharged?
Button cells may be divided into rechargeable and non-rechargeable varieties. The kind of battery is indicated by the English letters on a button-cell battery, while the number indicates the size. The diameter is represented by the first two digits, while the thickness is represented by the last two digits.
Typically, button cells are one-time-use (i.e., non-rechargeable, or galvanic battery). They are part of the dry battery family despite their distinct shape (AA, AAA, and AAAA).
Small Bluetooth headsets, for example, generally include rechargeable button cells (also known as secondary batteries) [5].
Are Energizer 2032 batteries rechargeable?
Up to 500 charge/discharge cycles are expected for each 2032 coin cell by Energizer, which can be charged up to 500 times before needing replacement.
How long does the CR2032 battery last?
Battery life is a phenomenon that depends on several variables, including material quality, storage conditions, storage duration, humidity, physical harm, and temperature. Ideally, you’d want a battery constructed of high-quality materials that have been stored in a cool and dry place with no visible damage [6].
When properly stored, Energizer states that their lithium coin cell batteries have a shelf life of up to 10 years. This will be determined by the application in terms of service life.
A CR2032 battery in a car key fob may survive up to 4-5 years before needing to be replaced since usage is quite infrequent.
How do you charge a coin battery?
To charge a coin battery, you will need a charging cradle and a power source. Place the coin battery into the charging cradle, and then plug the power source into the charging cradle. The charging process will begin automatically and will take approximately two hours to complete. Once the charging process is finished, unplug the power source from the charging cradle and remove the coin battery.
It is important to note that you should never attempt to recharge a CR2032 battery if it is not designed to be recharged. Doing so could damage the battery and cause it to leak or catch fire. If you have any questions about whether or not your CR2032 battery can be recharged, please contact the manufacturer for more information.
What is the longest-lasting CR2032 battery?
The Duracell 2032 3V Lithium Coin Battery is a CR 2032 battery that lasts 10 years in storage and is difficult to outdo.
This battery is recommended for use in watches, fitness devices, and glucose monitors.
The CR2032 batteries are also used in remote controls, keyless entry systems, and other small electronic devices [7].
How do you revive a dead button battery?
In many situations, coin lithium batteries are designed to be used only once. To put it another way, you merely use them once and then discard them. Secondary lithium-ion cells like rechargeable CR2032 technology have made it possible to create. These are batteries that can be recharged.
Why are button batteries not rechargeable?
The reason button batteries can’t be recharged is due to the battery’s chemistry. Button batteries are made with lithium, which is a highly reactive element. Lithium reacts with water to produce heat and hydrogen gas. This reaction is what powers the button battery.
However, this reaction also causes the lithium to slowly degrade over time. When the lithium degrades, it can no longer hold a charge and must be replaced. For this reason, button batteries are not rechargeable and must be disposed of properly when they are no longer working.
Are lithium coin cells rechargeable?
The answer is no, you can’t recharge lithium coin cells. Lithium-ion batteries, like the CR2032, are not designed to be recharged. If you attempt to recharge a lithium coin cell, it will likely cause permanent damage to the battery and could potentially be dangerous.
So if you find yourself with a dead CR2032 battery, your best bet is to simply replace it with a new one. While CR2032 batteries are relatively inexpensive, it’s still a good idea to conserve them as much as possible. One way to do this is by using a power-saving mode on devices that use them, such as LED lights.
Is 2032 the same as CR2032?
A 2032 battery is 20mm in diameter and 3.2mm thick.
There are two distinct types of 2032 batteries on the market, both with a capacity of three volts:
- CR2032 and BR2032 (the capitalization, or absence thereof, for the letters, does not matter);
- CR2032 is the same as a CR2032 and BR2032 is the same as a BR2032;
Both are 3-volt designs [8].
What battery can replace CR2032?
If you need a CR2032 replacement, the Panasonic BR2032 is a good option. This battery has a higher capacity than the CR2032 (220 mAh vs 210 mAh) and can be used in any device that requires a CR2032 battery.
The Duracell DL2032 is another good option for replacing a CR2032 battery. This battery has a slightly lower capacity than the CR2032 (200 mAh vs 210 mAh) but it is more widely available and usually costs less than the Panasonic BR2032.
Are all CR2032 batteries lithium?
To put it another way, three types of 2032 batteries are all lithium batteries, since they are made up of various chemicals. This does not negate the fact that each lithium battery is equal. For example, you can interchange most CR2032 coin cell batteries with a BR2032 type lithium battery without causing any harm.
How can you tell if a CR2032 battery is good?
The simplest way to check if a CR2032 battery is good is to use a multimeter. Set your multimeter to the “DC voltage” setting and touch the probes to the positive and negative terminals of the battery. If the reading is above 0.0 volts, then the battery is still good.
Another way to test a CR2032 battery is to use it in a device that uses CR2032 batteries. If the device powers on and seems to work normally, then the battery is probably still good.
Do lithium-ion batteries degrade if not used?
Lithium-ion batteries will degrade if left unused for long periods of time, even if they are not inserted into a device. This is because the electrolyte solution inside the battery begins to evaporate when it’s not being used, and this causes the battery’s internal structure to break down [9].
However, you don’t need to worry about this too much with CR2032 batteries, as they are typically used in devices that are regularly used (such as remotes and computer keyboards). If you have a CR2032 battery that’s been sitting around for a while, it should still work fine.
Useful Video: Recharge CR2032 button cell batteries with Arduino
References:
- https://electronicguidebook.com/can-you-recharge-cr2032-batteries
- https://www.techwalla.com/articles/how-to-charge-cr2032-batteries
- https://electronicguidebook.com/can-you-recharge-cr2032-batteries
- https://batteryspecialists.com.au/blogs/news/batteries-cr2032
- https://www.grepow.com/blog/are-button-cells-rechargeable/
- https://www.microbattery.com/blog/post/battery-bios:-everything-you-need-to-know-about-the-cr2032-battery/
- https://www.lifesavvy.com/reviews/the-best-cr-2032-batteries-for-your-devices
- https://www.apogeeweb.net/circuitry/CR2032-lithium-coin-battery.html
- https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/gadgets/how-to/a7432/why-your-gadgets-batteries-degrade-over-time-6705747